Review: Porsche Mk.1 Cayenne (2003-10)

Review: Porsche 955 Cayenne (2003-06)

Overview

Released in June 2003, the Porsche Type 955 Cayenne was a
five-seat, four-wheel drive wagon. Manufactured in Leipzig,
Germany, the Porsche 955 Cayenne range initially consisted of the S and
Turbo variants, but was expanded in 2006 with the Turbo S.
Although sharing its platform with the Volkswagen Touareg, the
Cayenne was powered by unique engines – the Cayenne S had a
naturally aspirated 4.5-litre V8 petrol engine, while the Turbo
and Turbo S variants had a twin-turbocharged unit.

Suspension

The Cayenne had double wishbone front suspension
(mounted on its own subframe) and multi-link rear suspension;
while steel springs were fitted as standard, Turbo variants were
fitted with adjustable air springs.

Porsche 955 Cayenne specifications

Variant

Engine

Trans.

Years

Peak power

Peak torque

S

4.5-litre M48.00 petrol V8

6sp auto

2003-06

250 kW at 6000 rpm

420 Nm at 2500-5500 rpm

6sp man.

2004-06

Turbo

4.5-litre M48.50 twin-turbo petrol V8

6sp auto

2003-06

331 kW at 6000 rpm

620 Nm at 2250-4750 rpm

Turbo S

4.5-litre M48.50 twin-turbo petrol V8

6sp auto

2006

383 kW at 5500 rpm

720 Nm at 2750-3750 rpm

4WD system

The Porsche Mk.1 Cayenne
had a
permanent four-wheel drive system which, in normal conditions,
provided a 38:62 front:rear torque split. However, an
electronically controlled multiple-plate clutch enabled all of
the engine's torque to be directed to either axle if required.
The Cayenne was also equipped with a low range gear ratio
(2.7:1), longitudinal differential lock for off-road use and an
automatic brake differential which, if the drive wheels began to
spin, would brake the wheel with the higher level of slip.

The Porsche Cayenne Turbo was further equipped with
bi-xenon headlights with washers, heated front and rear seats,
front and rear parking sensors, car phone, power adjustable
steering column, memory settings (front seats, mirrors and
steering wheel) and a power sunroof; from October 2005, the
Turbo was also fitted with tyre pressure monitoring. However,
the Turbo variant was also fitted with:

an air suspension system with a
self-levelling feature and six adjustable ride heights, and,

Porsche Active Suspension Management
(PASM): an electronically variable damping system which
provided continual adjustment of damper forces according to
road conditions and driver behaviour. The system also
included selectable Comfort, Normal and Sports settings.

Review: Porsche 957 Cayenne (2007-10)

Overview

Released in March 2007, the Type 957 Cayenne introduced
a revised range, mechanical upgrades and a subtle facelift.
Visually, the 957 Cayenne could be identified by its new bonnet,
front guards, bumpers and head- and tail-lights; the Turbo
variants also had a larger front airdam.

The 957 Cayenne range initially consisted
of an entry-level variant with a 3.6-litre V6 petrol engine and
the S and Turbo variants; the 4.5-litre V8 engines, however,
were replaced with larger 4.8-litre units which also featured
direct-injection and Porsche's VarioCam Plus variable valve
control system. In 2008, the range was expanded by the GTS and Turbo S
variants, with a Diesel variant following in 2009.

The Cayenne Turbo was fitted with 18-inch
alloy wheels, but also received four-zone climate control air
conditioning, heated front and rear seats, directional bi-xenon
headlights with washers, a power sunroof, proximity key and tyre
pressure monitoring.

Finally, the range-topping
Cayenne Turbo S was
distinguished by its 21-inch alloy wheels, embossed leather
seats, two-tone leather upholstery with Alcantara trim and
Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC), which utilised active
anti-roll bars to respond to the steering angle and lateral
acceleration to provide a stabilizing force which counteracted
the swaying force of the chassis.

2009 Cayenne GTS Porsche Design Edition 3

In September 2009, a limited-run GTS Porsche Design
Edition 3 model was released. Compared to the standard GTS, the
Porsche Design Edition 3 featured black-trimmed power-adjustable
sports seats with red stitching, Porsche-embossed head
restraints and Alcantara seat facings and 'Lava Grey' metallic
paint finish. The GTS Porsche Design Edition 3 was also sold
with a Porsche Design Chronograph watch and four-piece luggage
set.